JOHNSTOWN — Glebe Street Elementary School celebrated a half a century of educating children with a party for students, staff and the community on Tuesday.
Glebe Street celebrated its 50th birthday with food, music, memories and fun, in a party that also allowed them to have some fun before the end of the school year.
Principal Abbey North said students created time capsules for the second and third grade for the event and spent months working on barn quilt squares that were unveiled during the celebration.
Teachers released yellow balloons for second grade and purple balloons for third grade to show the number of sections that are now in the school.
She said a number of former graduates came to the event to support the school and the community. In addition, a number of teachers are alumni of Glebe.
North said during the lead up to the event, the school found the dedication speech from 1967 and newspapers articles about the school from that year.
North said the principal at the time of the opening, Michael Ringanese, spoke during opening of the school. She said during his speech, he praised the staff for their hard work, calling them a professional group who were highly qualified and would take advantage of every opportunity the then new school building had to offer.
“I had said in my speech that 50 years later as the building principal, I feel the exact same way. We are so lucky to have a hard working dedicated staff who are student centered, positive innovative staff. Coming to work each and everyday is fun,” North said.
North said she also gives a big thank you to the students.
“Glebe is a very special place. It is home for a lot of kids, school is their home away from home. Our message today is to kids: keep reading, never stop learning, never stop asking questions, always do your best,” North said.
North said the school will be undergoing its first major renovation inside the building since it opened in 1967.
“Times have changed. Our schools are configured differently, lunch menus may have changed, dress codes have changed, but our dedication, appreciation and pride and love for Glebe hasn’t changed,” North said.
Kerry Minor can be reached at [email protected]
